point-blank
point-blank — adverb
1. if a gun is fired point-blank, it is fired with the muzzle held extremely close
if a gun is fired point-blank, it is fired with the muzzle held extremely close to or almost touching the person or thing being aimed at, so that the bullet travels in a straight line to its target
The soldier fired point-blank at the target from just three metres away.
fired point-blank at [target]
A bullet fired point-blank does far more damage than one fired from a distance.
fired point-blank (passive)
Joaquín raised the pistol and shot point-blank into the metal door.
At that range — less than two metres — the gun would kill if fired point-blank.
The forensic report confirmed the shot was fired point-blank.
- at close range
less specific about the gun being almost touching; can describe any short distance
- at close quarters
suggests combat or struggle very nearby rather than a deliberate shot
- from a distance
implies the shooter is far from the target
- from afar
formal or literary opposite
用法筆記
Frequently used with verbs of shooting: fire, shoot. The phrase 'at point-blank range' is a common alternative to the adverb alone.
常見錯誤
2. in a very direct manner that makes no effort to spare someone's feelings — used
in a very direct manner that makes no effort to spare someone's feelings — used when asking hard questions, turning something down firmly, or delivering unwelcome news bluntly
Tariro asked her boss point-blank whether she was going to be promoted.
asked [sb] point-blank whether …
When Jin asked point-blank if the project would fail, no one answered.
Tanvi refused point-blank to sign the contract without reading it first.
Samir told the manager point-blank that the proposal was poorly planned.
The journalist asked point-blank about the missing funds during the press conference.
- bluntly
very similar; bluntly tends to focus on the speaker's lack of politeness, while point-blank emphasises the direct refusal or confrontation
- flatly
often used with refuse or deny; suggests no possibility of change
- straight out
informal; similar meaning but slightly less forceful
- indirectly
suggests avoiding the main topic
- evasively
implies deliberately avoiding a direct answer
文法句型
verb + point-blank + (that-clause or wh-clause)
用法筆記
Common with speaking verbs: ask, tell, refuse, deny, say, answer. The directness can sound rude in formal contexts; in informal situations it may signal honesty and strength.
常見錯誤
point-blank — adjective
1. describing a gunshot fired with the muzzle positioned extremely near to the targ
describing a gunshot fired with the muzzle positioned extremely near to the target — often almost touching it — so that the projectile travels straight without dropping before impact
The victim had a point-blank wound to the chest with visible powder burns.
point-blank wound
A point-blank shot from that distance would leave powder burns on the skin.
point-blank shot
The forensic team found evidence of a point-blank shooting.
Brandon could not miss from that range — it was a point-blank target.
The bullet entered at point-blank range, leaving a small, clean hole.
- close-range
broader; can describe any short distance, not necessarily gun-to-body proximity
- contact-range
more technical; specifically means the gun was touching the target
- long-range
describes a shot fired from far away
- distant
general opposite for any close-range description
文法句型
point-blank + noun (shot, wound, range, target)
用法筆記
Attributive only — used before nouns such as shot, wound, range, target, shooting. Does not appear in predicative position ('the shot was point-blank' is possible, but less common than 'it was a point-blank shot').
常見錯誤
2. said or done in a very direct way that shows no concern for politeness or the fe
said or done in a very direct way that shows no concern for politeness or the feelings of others — used especially of refusals, questions, and answers that are unusually blunt
Maeve's point-blank refusal to help surprised everyone in the office.
point-blank refusal
Chiara's point-blank question about the budget made the manager uncomfortable.
point-blank question
Talia gave a point-blank 'no' when asked to work on the weekend.
The committee received a point-blank rejection of their proposal.
Astrid's point-blank answer left no room for further discussion.
- blunt
very close in meaning; blunt can describe a person's manner, while point-blank only describes the remark or action itself
- direct
less negative; direct can be neutral or even positive, while point-blank implies an edge of rudeness
- forthright
more positive connotation; suggests honesty rather than rudeness
文法句型
point-blank + noun (refusal, question, answer, rejection, denial)
用法筆記
Attributive only — used before nouns such as refusal, question, answer, rejection, denial. Stronger than 'direct'; implies that the speaker made no effort to be polite.